The Pony Express epoch began simultaneously on April 3, 1860, with riders starting at St. Joseph, Missouri, and San Francisco, California. It was a 1966 mile journey and reduced the time of transmitting news across the country from approximately 21 to 10 days. Nearly one hundred stations were established. This was the first station south of Salt Lake City, a small adobe building known as Travelers’ Rest, where riders exchanged horses and received needed repairs, food, or lodging. With the inception of telegraph the Pony Express was abolished in October, 1861.